Justice in an unfair world

The world is constantly in evolution and progress. Modern forms of communication and electronics are progressing at a rapid pace. New research and new developments bring new facilities and conveniences to our daily lives.

This shows that humans are capable of using intelligence and mind to advance and increase productivity, efficiency, and personal comfort. However, it is a cause for deep regret that at a time when humanity is progressing at such a rapid pace, it is at the same time drifting further and further apart. The peace and stability of the world is under threat, and subject to continuing risks. In some countries, leaders and governments fail to fulfil the rights of their people and inflict grave cruelties and injustices on them.

Technology has been developed to such a level that it has the capacity to wipe nations off the map at the push of a button. We are, of course, referring to the development of weapons of mass destruction capable of inflicting the most unimaginable horrors, devastation, and destruction. These weapons being produced have the potential to destroy not only today's civilisation, but also to leave behind a legacy of misery for generations to come.

We are witnesses to the double standards and hypocrisy at different levels of society, and the resulting lack of peace is a cause of major concern and sorrow for those people who sincerely feel the pain of humanity. As members of the Spanish Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whose motto is based on "LOVE FOR ALL, HATE TO NO ONE", this issue distresses and worries us.

As Muslim Ahmadis ourselves, it is a source of pain to us that some of the turmoil taking place in the world today centres around the "so-called Muslims" and associates this chaos with Islam. It is a tragedy of gigantic proportions that these "so-called scholars" seek to falsely justify their hate-filled and malicious acts in the name of Islam. Instead of serving Islam, all they are achieving is to defame its name. The truth is that the very meaning of the word "Islam" is "peace, security and love". 

The Prophet of Islam (lpbD) said that "a person should wish for others what he wishes for himself". We believe that this timeless principle is as true today as it was in the past.

Certainly, each person desires peace for himself, and to be saved from all anxieties and worries. Every person hopes to have the means to live in comfort and without hardship. However, how many people or nations, how many of us, how many in our region, how many in our neighbourhood are there who really desire peace, prosperity and success for others?

Wherever there is a conflict of interest, most people tend to prioritise their own interests and welfare over the rights of others. This is true at the individual level and it is also true at the collective and national level. Today, instead of showing selflessness in the face of problems, we sadly tend to see selfish attitudes. According to Islam, our desire and motivation to fulfil our own interests must always be in proportion to our desire and motivation to fulfil the rights and interests of others. If we were to act in this way, this would be the golden principle that would unlock the door to true peace and security.

Chapter 4, verse 59 of the Holy Koran says:

" Indeed, Allah orders you to return what has been deposited to its owners, and when you judge between men, to do so with justice. Verily, excellent is that which Allah exhorts you to do! Allah is the All-Hearing and All-Seeing”.

This teaching is the model of democracy that Islam advocates. In all societies there are mutual trusts and obligations for all people, and for society to function successfully, it is necessary for ordinary citizens and leaders to fulfil their responsibilities to each other in true justice. If these principles had been respected within Muslim communities that in theory claim to follow the Koran, then we would never have seen the conflicts and division that prevail in many countries. We believe that this Koranic principle has universal value and is beneficial throughout the world and not just in Muslim-majority countries.

Citizens of all nations should seek to elect to their parliaments or assemblies those people whom they believe will work for the betterment and progress of their nation. This should be the guiding principle when voting for individuals or for particular policies, rather than simply along party lines or personal relationships.

Similarly, it should not be the case that in the United Nations certain countries exercise undue power and influence, or that permanent members of the Security Council look only to their own interests and use their veto power even when it conflicts with the interests of the majority. Rather, all members of the United Nations must work together and live up to the covenant of trust on which the institution was founded, to maintain the peace and security of the world. If all nations and international institutions renounce narrow selfishness for the collective good, then the conflicts that are plaguing the world will naturally disappear.

Sadly, the world is currently travelling in the opposite direction, where so-called Muslim governments have failed their people, while self-interest is becoming the hallmark of the great powers and powerful members of the United Nations.

For example, speaking of the past, a well-known columnist, Paul Krugman wrote in the New York Times: "The Iraq war was not an innocent mistake, nor was it an enterprise undertaken on the basis of intelligence that turned out to be wrong. The public justifications for the invasion were no more than excuses, falsified pretexts". Thus, even those who initially supported the Iraq war, or who have been defenders of the United Nations, have been forced to admit their mistakes and the grave consequences of their actions. 

Some major powers are selling arms to self-styled Muslim governments, while other governments are selling arms to rebel elements in the same countries. Thus, both sides are being fed and armed from the outside. All that matters is that their cheques are good so that billions are added to their own national budgets. How can peace on earth be achieved in such an environment?

Chapter 4, verse 136 of the Holy Koran says:

"O all you who believe! Be strict in the observance of justice, acting as witnesses for the cause of Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your fathers and your kinsmen. Whether rich or poor, Allah is more attentive to than you. So, follow not the base desires, that you may act justly. And if you conceal the truth or evade it, remember that Allah is well aware of all that you do."

In this verse, Muslims are commanded to be ready to bear witness against themselves and their family members, to establish the truth and to serve justice. A Muslim's loyalty to the truth must take precedence over all else. 

Then, in chapter 5, verse 9 of the Holy Koran, Allah the Almighty declares:

"O you who believe! Be persevering in the cause of Allah as righteous witnesses; and let not the enmity of a people incite you to act unjustly. Be always just, for that is nearer to virtue. And fear Allah.  Verily, Allah is aware of what you do".

Having instructed Muslims to be willing to testify against themselves, in this verse the Koran commands them to be impartial and to be just to all parties, including their enemies and opponents. This is the exalted level of justice advocated by Islam, and, therefore, if Muslim governments today are not following this teaching it is their fault. Therefore, it would be totally unfair and wrong to blame Islam for the misdeeds they commit.

Moreover, the Western world can be held accountable for the fact that it is up to them to put aside their own vested interests and work selflessly for a better and brighter future for our children and future generations. If every policy pursued were based on the solid foundations of justice and integrity, then the conflicts that have consumed the world would automatically be resolved without recourse to violence, bloodshed and brutality. If we truly want peace in our time, then we must act justly. We must value equality and fairness. Muslims and non-Muslims alike must pursue the universal standards of justice outlined in the Holy Koran. As the Prophet of Islam (lpbD) has so beautifully stated, we must wish for others what we love for ourselves. We must fight for the rights of others with the same zeal and determination that we fight for our own rights. We must broaden our horizons and look at what is right for the world, rather than at what is right for ourselves. These are the means to achieve peace in our time.

Webinar:

"JUSTICE IN AN UNFAIR WORLD". 24 June 2021 at 19:30. Registration: https://bit.ly/3zymCOe